Digital storytelling workshops launched for young people

A SOCIAL enterprise based in Tallaght has launched a series of digital storytelling workshops and training programmes for young people, aged from 18 to 25, from underrepresented communities.

They are aimed at young people who are interested in digital storytelling, with the goal of increasing cultural and ethnic representation in the creative media industry.

Called GORM Media and based in Rua Red, the social enterprise recently launched the initiative, called The Wideshot Programme, as a pilot project.

The Wideshot Programme aims to break down growing divisions in Ireland through the education of a new generation of ethnically and culturally diverse storytellers.

Founder and CEO of GORM, Mamobo Ogoro, for whom this programme has personal value, said: “Highlighting and amplifying the voices, experiences and stories of diverse communities on and off the screen is a part of our core objectives at GORM.

“Personally, though I have lived in Ireland for most of my life, I had never seen different stories of my community in Irish film or media growing up.

“That’s why I am so pleased that GORM is supported by the YPCE Project Award 2023 to equip and empower young people of ethnically diverse communities to tell their stories through creative media.

“With this launch and the development of The Wideshot Programme, we see a creative media industry where stories of different communities are adequately expressed on screen through the work and collaboration of people from those communities on and off screen.”

The Wideshot Programme, supported by the YPCE Project Award 2023, offers young people the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in digital storytelling, creative media and multimedia alongside professional industry mentors during several workshops.

This is followed by a week-long summer programme, during which eight selected individuals will get to tell their own story by creating a digital media piece.

The Wideshot Programme participants are recruited through the programme’s four charity partners: Africa Centre, AMAL Women’s Association, Doras Luimni and the Irish Traveller Movement.

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